People-to-people encounters in Cuba that impacted the lives of our travelers and changed their outlook on the island and its culture.

Cuba travel reviews :: Tour feedback from our guests

Read hundreds of Cuba travel and trip reviews here.

Satisfaction scale

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Mediocre

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Diane Rezaii, Apollo Beach, Florida

Western Cuba culture, March 2019

Satisfaction

It was very nice to be able to travel to Cuba and see Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad. We really enjoyed the culture of Cuba and learning more about the people and traditions. Our guide and bus driver were fantastic and really went above and beyond to make sure we had a spectacular experience. We enjoyed seeing and riding in the old cars in Havana, loved La Floridita, and the Buena Vista show! We especially enjoyed the trip to Trinidad and the mountains.

I liked most the variety of activities we had from going to the city of Havana to the coast and mountains of Trinidad. Riding in a Soviet army truck and the old cars was a great experience. We enjoyed the food and the mojitos! I was so nice to get a welcome drink everywhere we went!

There were no real problems. It would have been helpful to know a suggested tipping amount for the dinners and lunches ahead of time. It was a great trip!

Stacey Watson, Falls Church, Virginia

Lisa Dubois Tour, March 2019

Satisfaction

Everything in Cuba was perfect. I loved our trip to Cuba. Our guide Dayana and our drive Memito made the trip totally terrific. The people we met while on tour were all friendly and kind. I really enjoyed experiencing the food in different restaurants. I have absolutely nothing to change about anything that went on in Cuba.

Sheila Clay, Southfield, Michigan

University of Detroit-Mercy, March 2019

Satisfaction

I loved Cuba and was so honored to meet so many beautiful people. I really liked learning about the everyday life of Cubans. I loved the trip to the organic tobacco farm! My other favorite spot was to the Capitol of Havana. Problems: Not enough time at some of the sites.

Kenneth Songer, Orange, Massachusetts

Western Cuba culture, March 2019

Satisfaction

Although Cuba is a third world country it doesn’t seem to suffer issues of past communists nations, even though it has a communist party running things. Hands down the best thing about our tour was Mandy (Armando) Galan, our guide. He was just such an awesome person – very informative and knowledgeable in a personal way. also whenever we ran into a glitch he was on top of it immediately. Professional, personable, and just genuinely a great guy! This was a great trip.

Charlotte Calles, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Western Cuba culture, March 2019

Satisfaction

The Cuban people are very gracious in their response to your giving or purchasing. I had very good exchanges when speaking with them. From a taxi driver to our chambermaid and of course people whom we spoke our Spanish with. Really liked beautiful buildings and the land itself. I know in the future when the economy has recovered the cities will continue to improve. There were no problems with this trip.

Alexis Alexander, Detroit, Michigan

University of Detroit-Mercy: Cuba Arts and Culture Tour, March 2019

Satisfaction

Seeing with my own eyes what it is like to live and reside in Havana was amazing. The Cuban people are incredibly resourceful and creative. Although the governing political system is very different from my own country, there are many similarities between Havana and my hometown – for better or worse.

I had no problems at all during the tour. In fact, I hope that our tour guide Osmin, knows how much his perspective as a Cuban was appreciated. I learned a great deal from what he shared. I was in awe over his ability to handle challenging questions from members of our group in a professional manner. Any group that Osmin (and our tour bus driver Omar) get assigned to is truly in for a treat!

Susan Homant, Farmington Hills, Michigan

University of Detroit-Mercy, March 2019

Satisfaction

Cubans are friendly, and fun loving. Our interpreter was great, giving us much insight into Cuba, Havana, politics, culture, etc. The bus driver was a real gentleman, always helping me disembark with my bad knee. I loved Fusterlandia, organic gardens, Obispo Street, the Malecon, the market place, seeing the music, dance, and trade schools, all the music, the old cars. Our hostel was spic-n-span clean, breakfast interesting and filling. Enjoyed the time to explore on our own.

Judy Garson, Sebastopol, California

Judy and Sharon in Cuba, March 2019

Satisfaction

I want to return to Cuba. The trip totally exceeded my expectations. I loved being in Cuba and learned and enjoyed so very much. Loved our guide, Mariana Tamayo. She is unbelievably competent, caring, informed, a great communicator, and was extremely helpful for the tour we just did as well as the tour we plan to do in 2021. We could not have had a better tour guide.

Robert Homant, Farmington Hills, Michigan

University of Detroit-Mercy, March 2019

Satisfaction

It’s complicated. Seriously. The trip was a great learning experience but I can’t answer the most important question about Cuba. If there was a truly democratic election and they could vote to keep what they have or change to a multiparty parliamentary system, which would they do? Do they even know? Despite my comment above, I thought I learned a lot about what life was like in Cuba. I am certainly glad I went with a group rather than trying to put things together on my own.

Gary P. Korngold, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Weekend in Havana, March 2019

Satisfaction

Loved the Cuban people and their culture! We enjoyed the restaurants, architecture, and cultural exhibits. We didn’t experience any problems. Our guide Mandy was a great tour leader. He was a great help in helping us recover our luggage misplaced by United Airlines.

Mary Sue Morigeau, Polson, Montana

Sue Morigeau in Havana, March 2019

Satisfaction

We really enjoyed our tour. Restaurants were all excellent. Historic plazas were great and informative. Our tour guide and tour transportation made for an easy and very enjoyable trip.

Lisa Danko, Erie, Pennsylvania

Cuba Birding safari, March 2019

Satisfaction

Amazing! I loved everything. People were helpful, colorful and intelligent. Seeing the countryside, the diversity of ecological habitats was beyond expectation. Experiencing Cuban food, and its blue skies was the best! You need to be more clear on the number of extra guides so we can plan our tipping better. And we need to have access to the bank faster so we can exchange our currencies. That was a problem the whole way.

Traci Metzger, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Traci Metzger in Havana, March 2019

Satisfaction

Cuba was absolutely wonderful. I didn’t realize just how much history and culture we would experience. The locals were extremely hospitable and accommodating. Our guide, Arlene, was very informative. Identifying just one best part is very difficult. We really enjoyed the car tour of Havana, the cooking lessons, and the dinners. No problems. My suggestions: It would be great if there were additional restaurants that would offer cooking lessons, offer fishing excursions, and offer a military-focused tour

Faye Tobin, Cincinatti, Ohio

Weekend in Havana, March 2019

Satisfaction

I felt very safe enjoyed touring Havana and meeting some of its people. Liked the fact that everything imaginable was included: food, entertainment, sights. We experienced no problems.

Lenore Fritzenkotter, San Diego, California

Western Cuba culture, March 2019

Satisfaction

I fell in love with this country, it’s beautiful. I’m glad we the opportunity to take the trip.Our tour guide Mandy and driver Ray were the best. I think everyone developed a special bond with them. They were easy going and went out of their way to make this the best trip for us.

Hotel star rankings are assigned based upon the number of amenities and services offered. This designation system is used in the Americas. In Cuba, hotels are generally older and less well maintained than in the United States. So, for example, a five star hotel in Cuba, while having the same number of amenities and services, will not appear or feel like a similarly appointed facility in the States.

Comparing star ratings in Cuba to those in the United States

Five Stars. Facilities with the best accommodations available in Cuba with a full range amenities and services. Equivalent to four star in the States. Few are avaliable and they are expensive.

Four Stars. Good facilities offering quality accommodations with many amenities and services. Equivalent to a three-star hotel in America.

Three Stars. Medium class facilities with comfortable rooms, fewer of amenities and services. Good if on a budget. Comparable to modest three star in the North.

Two Stars. Modest accommodations with limited amenities and services. Can be uncomfortable. Think roadside motel.

One Star. Basic accommodations offering few amenities and services – similar to a hostel for youth and backpackers.